估值2000亿元独角兽怒告前员工：窃取上百份文件，策反数百万美元客户！公司面临更大危机：谷歌和OpenAI等“金主”流失

Core Viewpoint - Scale AI has filed a lawsuit against former employee Eugene Ling and his new employer Mercor, alleging theft of confidential documents and attempts to poach key clients, amidst a backdrop of client trust issues following a significant investment from Meta [1][12]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - Scale AI accuses Ling of illegally downloading over 100 confidential documents, including sensitive client information and business strategies, to his personal cloud storage [4]. - The lawsuit claims that Ling began promoting Mercor to Scale AI's important clients while still employed at Scale AI, indicating premeditated actions to benefit his new employer [3][4]. - Mercor is alleged to have offered Ling a commission of 20% on gross profits from client projects he brings in, contingent on generating over $5 million in gross profits [2][3]. Group 2: Client Trust Issues - Following Meta's $14.3 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale AI, the company faces a trust crisis as major clients like Google and OpenAI reconsider their partnerships due to concerns about data security [12]. - Reports indicate that Google is planning to terminate a $200 million contract with Scale AI, while other clients are also reassessing their relationships [12]. - Internal feedback from Meta's own research teams suggests that Scale AI's data quality is perceived as inferior compared to competitors [13]. Group 3: Mercor's Rise - Mercor, valued at $2 billion, has gained traction by employing experts from specialized fields, contrasting with Scale AI's traditional data annotation model [14]. - The company's strategy focuses on high-quality data annotation by hiring PhD-level professionals, which enhances client retention and addresses specific industry challenges [14]. - Despite being a newer player, Mercor has successfully attracted top-tier clients, including OpenAI, by differentiating its service offerings [14].